(DDM) – The European Union has tightened the rules guiding the suspension of visa-free travel for non-EU nationals, expanding the conditions under which people from 61 visa-exempt countries may have their short-stay entry privileges withdrawn.
Diaspora Digital Media DDM gathered that the revised mechanism, which has existed since 2013, is now being strengthened to allow faster and broader action where the EU detects abuse, security concerns, or diplomatic tensions.
The system allows eligible travellers, including Britons and Americans, to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period, without applying for a visa.
The EU maintains this arrangement with countries whose citizens are generally viewed as posing low risk, and where immigration patterns remain stable and predictable.
The only country suspended so far has been Vanuatu, after the EU concluded the island nation’s ‘citizenship-by-investment’ programme posed a security threat by granting passports to individuals with no genuine ties to the country.
Vanuatu’s scheme became problematic in 2015 when it began attracting applicants through investment routes that the EU believed could be exploited for irregular entry, identity fraud, and financial misconduct.
Negotiations between both sides failed, leading to the country’s complete removal from the visa-free list in 2024.
Under the updated rules, the EU will now be able to suspend visa-free access if a country’s policies create a pathway for irregular migration into Europe.
This includes situations where neighbouring states allow incoming travellers from risky regions to enter freely and later attempt crossing into the EU without proper authorisation.
The EU has also added new grounds relating to the sale of citizenships, weak passport security, diplomatic deterioration, cyber threats, and other hostile state actions.
These additions reflect concerns about hybrid threats, including the use of migrants as tools of political pressure, similar to episodes seen in past EU-Belarus relations.
Thresholds for triggering a suspension have been lowered, with a 30% rise in overstays, refused entries, or serious crimes now sufficient to activate restrictions.
A low recognition rate of asylum claims, now defined as 20% or fewer being approved, can also prompt the process.
The initial suspension period will increase from nine months to 12, with a further extension of up to 24 months possible if problems persist.
If evidence shows diplomatic or government-level responsibility, the EU may limit extended sanctions to officials and diplomats rather than ordinary citizens.
The European Commission will continually monitor all visa-free countries, launching an enhanced dialogue when concerns emerge and initiating suspension procedures when necessary.
While the changes appear strict, officials insist the mechanism is meant to serve as a safeguard rather than a tool for broad restrictions.
Analysts note that most major visa-free countries, including the UK and the US, maintain stable relations with the EU, strong passport controls, and low overstay rates, making widespread suspensions unlikely.
The new regulation takes effect three weeks after publication in the EU’s official journal, after which it will apply directly across all member states.